2025 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport often comes down to balancing capability against budget and efficiency. If your priority is outright space and power, the Pathfinder, starting at $36,400, offers a significant advantage with its 284 hp engine. However, this comes at a cost, as the Pathfinder delivers a lower combined 23 MPG compared to the Bronco Sport's efficient 27 MPG combined. The Bronco Sport is notably more affordable, with an MSRP of $31,845, and compensates for its 181 hp output with a generous 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Pathfinder's 16.6 cu ft when viewed purely through volume specs. While the Pathfinder offers more length at 197.7 inches, the Bronco Sport's superior fuel economy and lower entry price make it compelling for cost-conscious buyers who need usable utility space.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is the winner for commuters due to its better fuel economy, achieving 27 MPG combined versus the Pathfinder's 23 MPG.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder wins for families because its larger dimensions and traditional crossover layout suggest more comfortable passenger hauling despite having less sheer cargo volume than the Bronco Sport in this specific configuration.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder caters better to driving enthusiasts with significantly more power, delivering 284 hp compared to the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers superior value by saving buyers $4,555 on the MSRP while providing better efficiency and more cargo volume.
Choose the Nissan Pathfinder if...
- You prioritize outright acceleration and need 284 horsepower for confident merging and passing.
- You require the extra size offered by the Pathfinder's 197.7-inch length.
- You prefer the higher output of 259 lb-ft of torque for towing or heavier loads.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- Saving money is critical, as the Bronco Sport undercuts the Pathfinder by $4,555.
- Maximizing cargo storage is necessary, given the Bronco Sport offers 32.5 cu ft versus 16.6 cu ft.
- You prioritize lower running costs, benefiting from 4 MPG better combined efficiency (27 MPG vs 23 MPG).
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Nissan Pathfinder | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 197.7" | 172.7" |
| Width | 77.9" | 74.3" |
| Height | 70.9" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 114.2" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 284 hp @ 6400 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 9-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 20/27 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 370.0/499.5 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 42.3 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 44.3 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.8 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 58.3 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Manual | — |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 4-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.5 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 59.6 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/60R18 | 225/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Nissan | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 24000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
How much more fuel-efficient is the Bronco Sport compared to the Pathfinder?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport holds a clear advantage in efficiency, achieving 27 MPG combined (25 city/30 highway). This is notably better than the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's 23 MPG combined (20 city/27 highway).
Which vehicle is better suited for hauling cargo for weekend trips?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is superior for sheer volume, boasting 32.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder only offers 16.6 cubic feet in its base configuration.
Is the performance difference between these two crossovers significant?
Yes, the performance gap is quite large; the Pathfinder produces 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque, crushing the Bronco Sport's 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque.
What is the price difference when comparing the base MSRPs?
The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $36,400, making it $4,555 more expensive than the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, which has an MSRP of $31,845.
Does the drive type make a difference for daily driving in these crossovers?
The standard Pathfinder comes in FWD, while the base Bronco Sport features All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which generally offers better traction management in varied conditions compared to the Pathfinder's FWD setup.
Which vehicle uses cheaper fuel?
Both the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline for standard operation.
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